Being trapped indoors can make a basket case out of any outdoor enthusiast.

Stewy is no exception

Last night might be the last of the near zero F temps for a while. These I hope are the last frost pics of the season.

The snow is still skull deep on (another) stone slab on a stump.

I drove to the ‘dump’ today and checked out the Grasse River for ice jams along the way. There was next to nothing below the dam at Madrid. At Chamberlain Corners there was a slight build up but nothing to write home about.

I’ll have to see once the ice breaks up on the flat water sections what this turns out to be. Will this mini jam hold long enough to catch the ice that will soon be here?

Ice was arriving at Chase Mills as I drove by. There’s a good chance this will turn into a nice jam. I’ll probably miss it. I’m planning on taking a hike this weekend to the ice jam downstream of Morley.

Stealth Kitty? Shadow Cat?

Yep, that’s Black Jax
faster than a speeding bullfrog, more powerful than a dust bunny, and able to leap shoulder high in a single bound. She’s a sneaky little kitty with a big surprise. She likes to jump up onto your shoulder if you stand around. Take your eyes off her and she leaps. I think it’s her way of saying ‘sit down and show me your lap’. I’ve got to get visitors seated quickly or they may have to leave right away in order to change their pants. I’ve heard some good shrieks out of both sexes over the years too.

Sun on Friday. Rain on Saturday. Still raining at 4:30 AM Sunday. I go to bed thinking I’ll be able to go hiking in the woods but wake to find my hopes smothered in snow Sunday morning. Monday brings no relief, another 6 to 8 inches of snow got dumped overnight. ARRGH! I never thought I’d be going steady with a snow plow driver.. March Madness has once again replaced Spring fever.

The deer have been making their move. The winter is getting them down too. I caught this one sneaking around in the side yard on Saturday. The more brazen deer have been coming to the house and snacking on the shrubs. Soon as those are eaten I Imaging the deer will ring the doorbell and ask for handouts.

Monday afternoon – the sun is out again but I can’t hike to the river in all the snow. I know the ice jam must be formed by now so I dive down the road to Morley and check the river out. Yep, ice is jammed at the ‘cedar cliffs’.

There’s no hope of getting down to the river anytime soon. Temps are supposed to bottom out around 2 F tonight and just short of freezing tomorrow. Wed – Fri looks promising with temps pushing 40. I might be able to try hiking down on Saturday if lucky.

Tomorrow I’ll do something to match my mood. I haven’t been to the dump (waste transfer station) in 3 weeks.

The bridge in Louisville is the last of the 5 bridges that I crossed yesterday. I took this photo from the parking area by the historic marker.

I learned a little history. Now it’s your turn.

I reproduced the image from the sign. Something seemed off when looking at the sign then back to the river. The sign seemed to be placed where the old photo was taken (much like mine above) but there is something wrong in the view. The historic photo had to be taken from the other side of the bridge and diagonally across the river from the sign location.

Notice the dam? Notice the reflections on the water? Calm water is always on the upriver side of a dam. No wonder the photo on the sign looked backwards to me.

Class dismissed, back to the wild goose chase.
There were only snowmobile tracks headed upriver.

The open channel on the far side of the bridge was goose free.

I’ll have to zoom in if you want to see the two geese in the right channel.

Sleeping Honker
…and I bet you complain about your heating bill.

Goose stepping on ice

Time to give up the silly walk

and go for a cold swim.

Do geese float or swim?
This one is creating a good bow wake just staying in place in the swift current.

This goose was looking for something to eat and kept bobbing during the search. The river is shallow enough for the goose to reach the river bed.

Safe harbor? Dead End? Nope, just another place to stick your beak in.

I was going to finish and publish this post right after the first part but I got off my duff and left it while the getting was good. I’m back from Stone Valley now and getting this post out of the way. Expect to see a winter wonderland tomorrow.